Introduction to Psychology

Need help with your research? Contact:
Jen Jarson
Social Sciences Reference Librarian
phone: x3552
email: jarson [at] muhlenberg [dot] edu
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Selected Reference Materials

Craighead, W.E, and Nemeroff, C.B. (Eds.). (2001). The Corsini encyclopedia of psychology and behavioral science (3rd ed.). New York: Wiley.
Call number: Trexler Library Reference Collection 150.3 E562o, 2001 v.1-4 (Level A)

Credo Reference
Credo Reference provides access to hundreds of reference works, including general and subject specific dictionaries, encyclopedias, fact books, guides, companions and more from respected publishers across dozens of major subject areas--all online, all searchable from one search box.

Kazdin, A.E. (Ed.). (2000). Encyclopedia of psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Call number: Trexler Library Reference Collection 150.3 E563o v.1-8 (Level A)

Weiner, I.B. (Ed.). (2003). Handbook of psychology. New York: Wiley.
Call number: Trexler Library Reference Collection 150 H236o v.1-12 (Level A)

Finding Articles: Searching in PsycINFO

The PsycINFO database provides indexing of journals in Psychology and related fields from 1887 to the present.  (Abstracts are included from 1984 to the present.)  Books, book chapters, and dissertations are also indexed. 

FIND PsycINFO

Library Homepage  --  Databases A to Z (in the QuickLinks box) --  PsycINFO

SEARCH PsycINFO

1. Start with keyword searching on the main screen.  In the empty Find fields, enter keywords that describe your topic.  It's recommended to search across multiple fields when you're just getting started, so leave the drop-down menus at their Select a Field (optional) default.  Remember to use " " for phrase searching. Example: "obsessive compulsive disorder."

2. Browse through your results.  Click on any article that looks relevant to see more information about it.  Read the abstract, summarizing the article. 

As you look through your results, use them to your advantage.

  • What other words could you use in your next search?  Look in the title, keywords, and abstract sections of relevant article records.
  • When you find a useful article, don't forget to look at its reference list.  Is there anything there you might be able to use?
Remember: Don't use any items that come from Dissertation Abstracts. These are not journal articles but instead citations to dissertations.

GET your articles

  1. When searching for articles in library databases, you may find the full-text of an article linked in the database.
  2. If not, you need to search the Trexler Library Catalog to see if we own the journal in which the article is published.
    • Most databases have a Get It! link embedded. Click the link to check our holdings.
    • Otherwise, search the catalog by journal title or by ISSN . Verify that we have online, print, or microform access to the year/volume you need.
  3. If we do not own the journal you need, request the article via Interlibrary Loan.
    • Some databases have a Request on Interlibrary Loan link embedded. Click the link to fill out the form. Click Submit.
    • Otherwise, use the Interlibrary Loan Journal Article Request Form (Library Homepage  --  Interlibrary Loan (in the Quick Links box)  --  Articles request form). Fill out the form with as much information as possible. Ask for help, if you have questions?

Citing Your Sources

For help using APA Style, first consult the your assignment description. More information is available in the Resources for Current Students section of the Psychology Department website: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/studentresources.html.

For additional information on APA Style (6th ed.), consult the following resources.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. Washington, DC: APA, 2010.
Call number: Reference Desk Reserve 808.06615 P976m 2010 (at Reference Desk)

Concise Rules of APA Style, 6th ed.  Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2010.
Call number: Reference Desk Reserve 808.06615 C744r 2010 (at Reference Desk)

Trexler Library handout on using APA style: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/library/reshelp/apa_example.pdf

Writer's Handbook (University of Wisconsin--Madison)
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocAPA.html

© Muhlenberg College
Last modified: 12 November 2009